Contact device for trolleys.



0. L. FITCH.

CONTACT DEVICE FOR TROLLEYS. APPLIOATISN FILED JULY 1, 1902.

no MnEL.

Witgesses:

PATLNTED MAY 12,1903.

UNTTnn STATES Patented May 12, 1903.

ATENT @FFICE.

CONTACT DEVICE FOR TROLLEYS.

$PECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 727,608, dated May 12, 1903. Application filed July 1, 1902. Serial No. 113,997. (No model.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. FITCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Contact Devices for Trolleys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in contact devices for trolleys.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of contact devices for trolley-harps which shall be simple to manufacture and durable and efiective in use and in which the contact device is thoroughly protected and the liability of arcing is reduced to a minimum.

A further object is to provide an improved contact device for trolley-harps which may be easily and quickly attached or detached either in whole or in part without removing the wheel from the harp, the harp from the pole, or the pole from the car.

It is also an object to provide an improved arrangement of contact devices whereby the friction is reduced to the minimum.

Further objects will definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a detail sectional View taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 3, the roller 0 being shown in full lines. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional View on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 through the roller 0 and its supporting means. Fig. 3 is a side elevation View of the structure looking from the right of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view, taken on line 4. 4 of Fig. 5, of a modified construction, the contact device being shown in full lines to show the relation of the parts. Fig. 5 is a side elevation view looking from the right of Fig. 4.

In the drawings the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the draw ings, A is the harp or fork, of the usual form, with the space below the wheel slightly increased.

B is the trolley-wheel, of the usual or any suitable form, supported on a pin through the harp in the usual position.

Revolubly supported between the forks of the harp below the trolley-wheel by the springarms E, which are soldered or otherwise secured to the plate D, is the roller 0, adapted to travel in the groove of tho trolley-wheel. This roller conforms to the groove in the trolley-wheel at its sides, but preferably is a little separated from the bottom of the groove. The object of this formation is to prevent wear on the periphery of the roller by contact with the roughened and worn part of the groove. The roller 0 is held yieldingly into the groove of the trolley-wheel by the springarms E, onto the bent ends of which it is journaled. The journaled ends are preferably made pointed to insure centering and even wear. The spring D, which is an extension of the plate D at its upper end, is shaped to conform to the periphery of the roller 0 and is adapted to press against said roller 0 sufticiently to insure electrical contact at all times when the trolley is in operation. Preferably the spring D should bear on said roller 0 with less pressure than that with which the roller 0 is maintained in contact with the trolley-wheel, as otherwise it would operate as a brake upon the roller 0, opposing its natural tendency to revolve from its engagement with the trolley-wheel, and therebycause unnecessary friction. In practice it will be found desirable that the roller 0 should be pressed by the spring E in a direct line, or nearly so, toward the center of the trolleywheel in order to insure equally eifective operation when the car moves in either direction.

The plate D and spring D are removably secured in position by embracing a pin a on the outside of the harp and receiving a setscrew a through its lower end. The contact device can be quickly and easily replaced when occasion requires. The screw a causes the spring D to act like a lever and forces the inner end against the roller with any desired pressure. This also regulates springE in the same way. This is important, as it furnishes means of regulating the pressure of both springs, so as best to exercise the functions described. The periphery of the roller is not exposed to wear on the trolleywheel, so that it may be kept very smooth for that purpose. This spring I) is, in effect, an electrical brush, and the contact part can be a composite structure like any suitable brush, though a simple spring of bronze or copper, as I have shown, is very effective. The spring or the roller, either one, can be readily removed and renewed in a minute by the motorman in charge, who can be supplied with a number of the contact devices for that purpose and can keep his contacts in perfect condition. This will enable a great saving in cost of specially-constructed hubs and harps to secure the contact and will make the matter of repairs an item of no great consequence.

In Figs. Land 5 I show a modified construction, the rollerbeingrepresented therein in the form of a ball G, held yieldingly in contact with the trolley-Wheel by a spring F, which is formed into a ring to aiford a seat for the ball, the outer ends of the spring being secured to the harp in position of easy access, so that it can be readily renewed when desirable. This is a much cheaper form and not so eifective as the first, as it lacks some of the elements of strength and also stability and breadth of contact-surface and involves greater friction. With this arrangement of contact device the current is effectively transferred, and the contact devices are so located as to be protected from externalinjury. Further, the contact device is simple in its structure and economical to produce and use, and the same may be quickly applied Without removing the pole from the car or the wheel from the harp, as is necessary where contact which engages the axle or spindle is to be removed or secured. in position. 7

I have illustrated and described my im-' proved trolley-harp in detail in the form preferred by me on account of its simplicity of construction and adjustment. I am aware, however, that it is capable of considerable structural variation without departing from my invention.

The roller 0 can be made of any good conductor, as bronze or carbon or any suitable conducting composition. The roller 0 being supported by the spring-arms E, which are bent to form journals for the same, may be quickly removed and a roller inserted by simply springing the arms outward. These journals are not intended to afford electrical contact and may be lubricated. Many ways of supporting the rollers and of making an electrical connection therewith will readily appear to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a trolley-head, the combination of the harp A; a trolley-wheel B; a roller 0 adapted to travel in the groove of said wheel; supporting spring-arms E having their ends bent inwardly to form journals for said roller arranged to hold the same in yielding contact with said trolley-Wheel; and a spring D carried by said harp, adapted to maintain contact with said roller 0; all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a trolley-head, the combination of the harp A; a trolley-Wheel B; a roller 0 adapted' to travel in the groove of said wheel; supporting-arms for said roller; and a spring D secured to said harp, arranged to contact with said roller and hold the same in yielding contact With the trolley-wheel, all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a trolley-head, the combination of a trolley-harp; atrolley-wheel; a roller adapted to travel in the groove of said trolleywheel; spring-supported journals arranged to hold said roller in contact with the trolley-Wheel; and a contact-brush arranged to rest against the roller, coacting as specified.

4.. In a trolley-head, the combination of a suitable harp,the trolley-wheel revolubly sup ported therein; a roller arranged to travel in the groove of said wheel; means for yieldingly supporting said roller in contact with said wheel; and connections for said roller, for the purpose specified.

5. The combination of a trolley harp; a trolley-wheel; a roller supported to revolve in contact with said wheel; and a yielding contact for the periphery of the roller, for the purpose specified.

6. The combination of a trolley-harp; a trolley-wheel; a roller supported to revolve in contact with said Wheel; and a yielding contact with the roller, for the purpose specified.

'7. In a contact device for trolley-harps, a trolley-wheel; a roller arranged to travel in the groove of said trolley-wheel; and electrical connections for said roller.

8. In a trolley, the combination of atrolleyharp; a trolley-wheel; a roller adapted to fit in the groove of said wheel; means of support ing the said roller beneath the wheel and between the sides of the harp; and contact devices from the roller to the harp, for the pur* pose specified.

9. In a troi ley, the combination of a trolley side of said harp to support the contact deharp; a tr011ey-whee1; a roller adapted to vice in position as specified. IO travel in the groove of said Wheel; a spring- In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my frame for supporting said roller in contact hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

5. with the Wheel having an attaching-plate with CHARLES L. FITCH. [L. 8.]

perforations, one above the other; a pin to en- \Vitnesses: gage the upper perforation; a set-screw to en- ETHEL A. TELLER,

gage the lower and secure the plate to the out- OTIS A. EARL. 

